PS 3537 
.T587 
S5 
1917 
Copy 1 



M§SmB 



mmt du hhmt 



BY 



STELLA PRINCE STOCKER 



i(BUf du Umi 



HISTORICAL PLAY 
IN FOUR ACTS 

WITH 
INDIAN PAGEANT FEATURES AND INDIAN MELODIES 



BY 
STELLA PRINCE STOCKER 

[ O-mes-qua-wi-gi-shi-go-que] 



Copyright 1916 
all eights reserved 



DULUTH. MINNESOTA 



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A'^r.^^! 



<v 



Copyright, 1916 

by 

Stella Prince Stocker 

Published August, 1917. 

No use may be made of story or play and no copies 
may be made without written consent of the author. 



Of>5o 



AUG -! 1917 
©G1.D 47529 

Huntley Printing Co., Duluth, Minn. 



CHARACTERS. 

Daniel de Gresollon, Sieur du Lhut 

Explorer under Count Frontenac 

Dupont ) Men in du Lhut's employ 

Faffart ( 

Louis Hennepin Priest and explorer, captive in Sioux camp 

Picard du Gay Hennepin's canoe man 

Pierre Dubois Suitor of Isabelle de Mirval 

Jean de Mirval Isabelle's brother 

Sir Landsdowne ) Englishmen interested in 

Sir Markham ] the Hudson's Bay Company 
Ou-a-si-cou-de Great Sioux Chief 

(pierced pine) 
Mah-kah-de 0-nah-sid Sioux Indian, in love with Anishaque 

(Black Foot) 
Ni-gah-ni gi-zhick Anishaque's brother 

(Low sky) 
0-za-wa A-ni-mik. .Chippewa Indian in the employ of du Lhut 

(Yellow Thunder) 
Chief A-que-pa-ga-tin 



Sioux at Kathio, on Mille Lac 



Chief Is-ta-ba (Sleepy eyes) 
Mah-to-ho-ta (Grizzly bear) 
Wan-di Du-ta (Scarlet Eagle) 
Two Indian Runners 
Folle Avoine ) Chippewas accused of murder- 

Chief Ashiganaga j" ing two Frenchmen 

Nah me-gos (The trout) ) „ . , , , ... 

Ta-ko-zid (Short foot) [ Chippewas at the trial 

Mah-in-gans (Little Wolf) ) 

A-ni-sha-que (Sprung from no one knows where) 

Chippewa girl brought up in Sioux camp 

Zit-ka-la (Little Bird) Anishaque's friend 

Isabelle de Mirval Montreal girl, beloved by du Lhut 

Madame Barre Montreal lady 

Toinette Barre \ Friends of Isabelle 

Elise Barre [ 

Sioux and Chippewa braves, squaws, children, ladies and 
gentlemen at ball in Montreal. 



N. B. — In the Indian words a is pronounced like ah; e, 
like a in "fate"; i, like ee in "meet." There are some misal 
sounds as in French. 

Please refer to other notices and to Indian melodies at the 
close of this volume. 




^atti>i y/Jtue-ifd-n^c^ 



Sieur du Lhut 



SIEUR DU LHUT 

Act I. 
Time : July Afternoon, 1679. 

Scene: Forest glade at the luestern corner of Lake 
Superior. The blue water is seen through the trees at the 
back. It must be understood that the temporary camp of 
Ouasicoude, the Sioux chief, is in the immediate vicinity at the 
right. (A) The rising of the curtain shows groups of Indians 
occupied in various ways. At the extreme right and left 
squaws are seated, one weaving a small rug on a hand loom, 
another making a basket, a third bending before a bowl of 
bi7xh bay^k. She is dyeing ropes of dried grass. Several 
children are playing towards the back of the stage and Indian 
braves stand in groups as if interested in conversation. Chief 
Ouasicoude sits on a log near the front, right center, smoking 
meditatively. Suddenly a tall Indian enters singing the moc- 
casin game song (B) and showing the other Indians a brightly 
colored blanket. They rush towards the front, left center, 
spread the blanket on the ground and throw down upon it four 
moccasins. The game is played, two on a side. The singing 
and playing of the tom tom always accompany the game. 
The boys crowd towards the front and watch the players. 
After the pantomime has continued for some time, an Indian 
runner enters, presents small rolls of birch bark to the chief, 
goes to the rear and throws himself on the gy'ound. The moc- 
casin game players stop for a moment, then go on with their 
game while the chief studies the rolls. He finally lays down 
his pipe, raises his staff of authority and calls ''ho ho." The 
men stop playing and the squaws lay down their work. 
Anishaque, Zitala and two other young girls enter from the 
right and seat themselves at the right of the chief. Ouasicoude 
"^aises the rolls and the Indians listen attentively. 

Ouascoude. {Unrolling one of the strips of bark) Some 
white spirits and red skins pass Indian village in canoe. 
{Unrolling another strip) After two days they stop in Indian 
village. Smoke peace pipe. {Unrolling another strip) Good 
spirits — no scalps — Indians trade skins for presents of white 



b SIEUR DU LHUT 

spirits — peace pipe. (The Indians call "ho, ho.") Good 
white spirits come soon to Ouasicoude. 

(Yellow Thunder enters from the left, rear, and pre- 
sents rolls of tobacco to the chief.) 

Yellow Thunder. Sieur du Lhut come soon through woods 
to find Chief Ouasicoude. Other pale face men and one 
Indian cross Little Portage and bring canoe that way. Sieur 
du Lhut no wait. He find trail and come quick. He come so 
far to find Chief Ouasicoude. Sieur du Lhut smoke peace pipe 
with Nadouissioux chief. He great warrior but he no fight 
with red men. He bring presents from great French King and 
he make friends with all Nadouissioux. 

(The Indians move away. The chief smokes in silence. 
The player of the moccasin game drum beats it softly.) 

Ouasicoude. (Slowly taking pipe from his mouth) 
Ouasicoude smoke calumet with Sieur du Lhut. He come here. 
Anishaque make him wigwam and cook him rice and bear 
meat. Sieur du Lhut take Anishaque for squaw. Then great 
French warrior and great Sioux warrior be good friends for 
always. 

Yellow Thunder. Sieur du Lhut never yet take white 
wife nor Indian squaw, but he friend of Ouasicoude for always. 
I bring him here. 

(Yellow Thunder goes out at the left, rear. Black Foot 
utters a low growl. The Indians leap to their feet in excite- 
ment.) 

Black-foot. Pale face no friend of Sioux. He come. He 
steal our skins. He carry away Anishaque. Then he send 
Chippewas on war path into Sioux country. Pale face never 
friend of Indian. He say he love red man. Yes, he love fine 
furs red men have in wigwam after hunt. He love Indian 
girl, — just for a while. Pale face never friend of red men. 
Anishaque never follow pale face to wigwam. Anishaque 
squaw for Black-foot. 

(Black-foot gives a low growl and siezes Anishaque by the 
arm. She jerks away, giving him a sullen look.) 

Ouasicoude. Great White Warrior take Anishaque for 
squaw. Then all time fine presents come from French country 
into Sioux country. We smoke peace pipe with French White 
Spirits. 

Black-foot. We take scalps from French White Spirits. 
They dead, we have canoe and presents. White Warrior no 
friend of red men. 

(Excited "ho, ho's" from Indians.) 

Ouasicoude. We smoke peace pipe with Sieur du Lhut. 



SIEUR DU LHUT I 

His great French Father makes Sioux stronger than all other 
tribes. 

Black-foot. Pale face fool Indians. 

Low Sky. Pale face warriors have lightning sticks. 

Black-foot. They come here. They sleep in wigwam. 
We take scalps. We take lightning sticks, presents and all. 

(Indians cry "ho, ho.") 

Ouasicoude, (holding up his staff of authority), They 
come here. We smoke peace pipe with Sieur du Lhut. All 
sleep in wigwam. We no take scalps. (To A-ni-sha-que and 
Zit-ka-la) Spread skins for great White Chief. 

(Ouasicoude lowers his staff and resumes his seat. (B) He 
smokes his pipe. Black-foot turns away with a surly snarl. 
Many of the Indians look sullen. Yellow Thunder brings 
presents for Ouasicoude and goes out at once. The moccasin 
game player who has won the blanket, picks it up, wraps him- 
self in it and seats himself at the left, near the trees. Anisha- 
que and other girls lay skirts here and there on the ground. 
They sing as they move about. (B) The men sit smoking. 
Ouasicoude in the same position as at first. Sieur du Lhut now 
enters from the left rear, followed by Faffart, Dupont and 
Yellow Thunder. 

The bearing of du Lhut is noble and so genial that the 
Indians are much impressed. They become less sullen, with 
the exception of Black-foot, who stands apart from the others, 
at the extreme left. His gaze is fixed in turn on du Lhut and 
on Anishaque. The Indian girl does not take her eyes off from 
du Lhut and her expression changes from wonder to devotion. 
Du Lhut stands for some time before the chief, his head uri- 
covered. The chief smokes in silence. At length he takes his 
pipe from his mouth. 

Ouasicoude. Ouasicoude thanks the white warrior for 
tobacco and presents. 

Du Lhut. I am fortunate to meet here the great Sioux 
Chief whom I have traveled so far to see. I expected to fol- 
low the trail through the woods for several days before finding 
you. How is it that you are here, at the Little Portage? 

Chief. Each year we come to the end of the great water, 
Kitchee Gumee. We hunt bear, we dance medicine dance seven 
days, we make prayer to Great Spirit. Sometimes we smoke 
peace pipe with Chippewas. Anishaque come too. She medi- 
cine woman. She dance with Chippewas across Bay, then on 
Sandy Point out there where East manido stood in moonlight 
and sang Mide songs. 

Du Lhut. What is Mide? 



8 SIEUR DU LHUT 

Chief. No pale face understand Mide. Maybe Anisha- 
que tell you a little after we smoke calumet. 

Du Lhut. Give me the peace pipe to smoke. It will make 
friendship between us and between the King of France and the 
tribe of the Nadouissioux. It was for this I made the long 
journey. The governor Frontenac and above him the great 
King Louis, have commanded me to plant the banner of France 
in the village of Kathio. This will show that we are your 
friends and that you are the friends of France. Then France 
will be with you in all your wars with other tribes. When do 
you go back to the great Sioux village? 

Chief. The White Warrior will go tomorrow with Sioux 
tribe. At sunrise we put canoes in water. Paddle up river 
St. Louis. Kathio in three days. White warrior be with us 
all time. That way we learn what kind of friendship he bring 
from Great French Chief. 

(Du Lhut holds up a copper medallion with portrait and 
inscription. The medallion hangs on a chain. The chief looks 
at the ornament tvith surprise and pleasure. Afdshaque comes 
near and du Lhut notices her. The chief, rising, takes off his 
bonnet of feathers and Anishaque puts the chain over his head. 
Grunts of approval from the Indians. Ouasicoude steps 
proudly forivard. Anishaque follows, du Lhut ivatching her. 
Black-foot looks on with theatening glances.) 

Chief, (looking at the image on the medallion), This is 
the great French Chief? He send this to Ouasicoude? 

Du Lhut. It is the image of the great King Louis the 
Fourteenth of France. With the medallion he offers you his 
friendship. 

Chief, (to Anishaque) Bring peace pipe, Anishaque. 

(She brings the calumet and gives it to the chief. (C) 
He smokes while she supports it at the end. He then stops and 
motions to Anishaque, who gives the pipe to du Lhut. He 
smokes while she supports the end of the pipe. Anishaque 
then carries the pipe to every member of the tribe. All smoke 
but Black-foot, who slinks aivay through the trees. During 
the ceremony the young men beat the drum and sing. Faff art 
brings the French flag and du Lhut plants it in the center of 
the stage within the drum enclosure, the large drum having 
been brought in and placed in the center of the stage during 
the smoking of the jnpe.) 

Du Lhut. The King of France sends his friendship to the 
Nadouissioux. So long as they see the lilies of France waving 
over them they will know that France is their friend, in peace 
and in war. Through the eyes of his people who have come 
here across the water, to New France, he looks at this great 
land with its lakes and rivers and forests. He sees great cities 



SIEUR DU LHUT 9 

rising up in the midst of the forests and by the shores of the 
rivers and lakes. 

Chief. The great French Father live on top of high 
mountain. He see many things which I not see. I know my 
skin is red but when I look inside myself I think my heart is 
just like white man's heart. Great French Father stand on 
high mountain. He look down and call me friend. My tribe 
call him friend. 

(D) (The Indians sing and dance, then gradualhj dis- 
appear among the trees, singing. The chief and du Lhut seat 
themselves.) 

Du Lhut. Now that we have smoked the peace pipe and 
you have taken me as your friend, tell me about the medicine 
dance. 

Chief. Pale face no understand medicine dance. 

Du Lhut. The White Warrior does not understand the 
Indian religion, but he understands the heart of his new 
friend. The red man knows the secrets of the forest; he 
divides all with his neighbor; he does as he agrees to do and 
makes others do the same. This is the way I understand the 
Indian and this is the kind of a man I want for my friend. 

(Du Lhut grasps the hand of Ouasicoude with fervor.) 

Chief. Now we all go sleep. Anishaque build wigwam 
and make fire for White Warrior. Tomorrow at sunrise we 
put canoes in water. In three days we reach Sioux village, 
Kathio. We call many chiefs who live on river and lake. 
Great White Warrior plant flag and give friendship of France 
to all our tribe. 

Du Lhut. The white brothers will gladly go with you. 

Chief. Anishaque now build wigwam for White Warrior. 
Anishaque foster child of Ouasicoude. She spirit maiden. 
She make charms against bad manidos. 

(The chief goes off slowly, right, rear.) 

Du Lhut, (to Anishaque) Perhaps she will give me a 
charm and here is one for her. 

(The Indian girl approaches modestly. Du Lhut gallantly 
hangs a small chain about her neck. Anishaque lingers and 
du Lhut talks with her. They stand at right, rear. Dupont 
and Faff art advance at left.) 

Faffart, (to Dupont, laughing) Any man but Sieur du 
Lhut would have given the Indian girl a ceremonial kiss. She 
wouldn't have been offended, either. It certainly is a case of 
love at first sight, on her part, at least. I tried to get her to 
smile at me. No, indeed. She never took her eyes off from 
Sieur du Lhut. I fear I am losing my attractiveness to women. 



10 SIEUR DU LHUT 

Dupont. Nonsense, Faffart! You're not made jealous by 
a simple Indian maiden. 

Faffart. Simple or not, she's a savage beauty; and if I 
am a bit jealous, I'm not the only one. Did you notice that tall 
Indian with a scar across his face? 

Dupont. No ! 

Faffart. Well, he watched du Lhut and Anishaque every 
moment, and I swear to you, if his thoughts could be painted 
there would be a picture of tomahawks and scalps. 

(Anishaque goes out at right, rear. Du Lhut stands 
watching her.) 

Dupont. Oh, there's nothing in that. Some Indians have 
a constitutional hatred for a pale face. I don't blame them 
much, either. 

Faffart. Hatred or no; it seems that Indian women do 
not hate Sieur du Lhut. If he were not such an ascetic he 
might take the girl as squaw, leaving her with her tribe when 
he is ready to move on. I suppose he has left his white heart 
in Montreal, but any one would think his Indian heart would 
speak when he gets so near one of those handsome girls of the 
forest. 

Du Lhut, (stepping fortvard and speaking angrily) Du 
Lhut's white heart is dead but his Indian heart is alive — alive 
with respect for the generous nature of the red men and for 
the faithfulness of the Indian women. 

Faffart. You'll surely admit that there are some bad 
Indians. 

Du Lhut. Perhaps, but their wickedness has a certain 
barbaric splendor until they become tainted with the mean 
vices of the white race. Come, we must look after our canoes 
and camp things. 

(As du Lhut, Faffart and Dupont go out at right, rear, 
Black-foot and Low Sky come in stealthily from the left.) 

Black-foot. An Indian brave must bring skins for shelter 
of pale face! Ugh. (Throwing down a bundle.) 

Low Sky. Does Black-foot still think of plans to kill ? 

Black-foot. What Black-foot says will be done. He and 
Low Sky take scalps of pale-faces, put canoes in water, load 
in all things, then carry away Anishaque and find new camp 
far away. 

(During this speech Anishaque has come in softly from 
the right, bringing a bundle of twigs. She lays down the 
bundle and listens.) 

Low Sky. Black-foot bad Indian. Take scalps after 
smoking peace pipe with pale faces. 



SIEUR DU LHUT 11 

Black-foot. I no smoke peace pipe. Their hearts full of 
treachery. Anishaque no squaw for pale-face warrior. 
Anishaque squaw for Black-foot. 

Low Sky. Black-foot bad Indian. Low Sky good Indian. 
No take scalps after we smoke peace pipe. 

Black-foot. Yes, Low Sky good Indian. He smoke Sioux 
peace pipe but he no Sioux. He Chippewa brave. Sioux kill 
his father and mother, bring him up in Sioux camp. Anisha- 
que, his sister, adopted by Chief Ouasicoude. Low Sky, Chip- 
pewa brave. He have coward's heart if he no revenge death 
of father and mother. Does Low Sky forget all this ? 

Low Sky. Low Sky never forget. He love Chief Ouasi- 
coude and Sioux tribe but he ofen feel rage of blood-feud. 
He feel it now. He want take scalps — Sioux — pale-face — no 
matter. His father and mother dead by Sioux tomahawks. 

Black-foot. Low Sky go now into woods by lakeshore. I 
find him there. 

(As Low Sky goes out at the left, rear, Anishaque comes 
forward with her bundle of twigs and lays them down near 
front, left center.) 

Black-foot, (to Anishaque) See, I have brought skins for 
wigwams of pale-faces. Black-foot help Anishaque. 

Anishaque. Zitkala help me. Indian brave no help with 
wigwam. 

Black-foot. One Indian brave help his squaw. Anishaque 
be my squaw. I help carry wood. I help make wigwam. 

Anishaque. I no want brave to help carry wood and 
help make wigwam. I strong woman. I never be squaw for 
Black-foot. I no like. 

(Black-foot stands erect and with sullen looks goes into 
woods at left, rear. Zitkala comes in from right with a bundle 
of wigwam poles.) 

Anishaque. Zitkala. (Zitkala looks up.) Zitkala my 
friend, (drawing her forward) I tell her something. 

Zitkala. Trust Zitkala. 

Anishaque. Black-foot bad Indian. 

Zitkala. He no good Indian. 

Anishaque. He want Anishaque for squaw. 

Zitkala. No, no, no. Anishaque never squaw for Black- 
foot. 

Anishaque. My heart I give to White Warrior. 

Zitkala. He never marry Indian girl. 

Anishaque. If he no marry? Anyway he let me bring 
wood, make wigwam, cook rice, take fish in nets. He never 
hurt Anishaque. He like great manido with kind face. 



12 SIEUR DU LHUT 

Zitkala. No, Anishaque, it is better you marry Sioux 
brave. Take Wandi Duta, son of Ouasicoude. He often play 
love pipe in forest. Listen. He play now. (From a distance 
is heard the love pipe. (E).) Chief's son come often and 
dance in moon light before wigwam of Anishaque. She never 
tell him, "Come in." 

Anishaque. I never love any brave but White War- 
rior. I follow him. I serve him. I save him by my charms 
and medicine. Tonight come Black-foot and Low Sky to take 
scalps. Anishaque will drive them away by her Mide charms. 

Zitkala. There come pale face men. 

(The girls set up the wigwam frame at left, the poles hav- 
ing already been tied together. Only half the wigwam is in 
sight. The girls sing as they work. (F) Faffay^t and Dupont 
enter bringing another set of poles and a pack. Du Lhut fol- 
lows with guns, st7'ings of ornaments, hatchets and knives.) 

Dupont. You remain here, Sieur du Lhut. 

Faffart. Yes, we will bring the other packs and the game. 

(Dupont and Faffart return to the woods, laying down 
their bundles near the wigwam.) 

Du Lhut. Go on, boys. I will have a fire by the time you 
come back. 

(Du Lhut goes out at left, comes back soon with an arm- 
ful of twigs. Anishaque sees him as she stands by the wigwam 
and rushes forward as du Lhut lays down the twigs.) 

Anishaque. Anishaque make fire. White Warrior tired 
after long journey over great lake. He come from land of 
sunrise ? 

(Anishaque slowly arranges the twigs and picks up pieces 
of bark.) 

Du Lhut. Yes, I am very tired. I came from the land of 
sunrise, but I have stopped many times on the shore. I have 
smoked the peace pipe at Bawiting, which we call the Sault 
Ste. Marie, and at several Indian villages on the north shore. 

Anishaque. How far will White Warrior travel with our 
people? 

Du Lhut. To the grat Sioux village of Kathio. There 
I shall set up the banner of France and exchange my presents 
for skins. These I will take to the governor's people at Quebec. 

Anishaque. Why not travel on from Kathio twenty days 
and find great salt water lake which lies towards sunset? 

Du Lhut. What great salt water lake do you mean? It 
is perhaps the Red Sea. 

Anishaque. I not know name, but people from far away 
land have brought salt from great lake twenty days towards 
sunset. 



SIEUR DU LHUT 13 

Du Lhut. (with excitement) What a great voyage of 
discovery this would be ! To go westward until I find the Red 
Sea. But that cannot be on this trip. There are people who 
say to my king that I am false to my country. (Du Lhut rises 
excitedly.) I must go back and answer them. 

Anishaque. (rising and with fervor.) Great White War- 
rior no false man. He good and true to all. 

Du Lhut. I try to be, but there are some jealous people 
in the sunrise land who say not. 

Anishaque. (Drawing a little closer.) Jealous people 
here, too, but you no fear. Anishaque drive away bad Indians. 
You go sleep. I give pale faces good medicine. All sleep 
sound. You see long line of sandy shore stretching through 
water? Each year Anishaque go there and stay alone three 
days and three nights. She eat nothing. She dream much and 
see spirit manidos. They tell her where she find good medi- 
cines which make sleep, make well the sick. She find medi- 
cines to make love. White Warrior take some with him when 
he go to sunrise land? 

Du Lhut. I am afraid your medicine charm would have 
no effect on the heart of a pale face, but I will take some with 
me. (Anishaque turns sadly away with drooping head.) I 
will take anything you want to give me, Anishaque, for I trust 
you. 

Anishaque. I go bring water. 

(Faff art and Dupont come in from right, rear, meeting 
Anishaque as she goes out. Faffart throws one arm around 
her and tries to kiss her. She gives him a blow which sends 
him reeling towards the front. He stumbles against 
Dupont. Anishaque stands a moment looking at him with 
haughty fury, then disappears at right, rear. Faffart pulls 
himself together and approaches the fire. He and Dupont 
warm their hands, Dupont having hung a couple of game birds 
on a crotched stick.) 

Faffart. Would you imagine that a girl could have such 
strength of arm? As she threw nie off it seemed to me that I 
might be going to land on the other shore of the lake. 

Dupont. If you had seen the look she gave you, it would 
have been plain to you that you had better not fool with this 
proud Indian girl. She would be quite capable of sending you 
farther than the other side of Kitchee Gummee. Have a care, 
young man. Your pet manners will not be in place with 
Anishaque. She is like a priestess and when she finds the 
right man, her love will be like a religion. Besides, you would 
stand no chance with her. She's already in love with our 
Sieur du Lhut. 

Du Lhut. Don't talk about Anishaque, you men. Let her 



14 SIEUR DU LHUT 

alone. An Indian woman deserves our respect as well as a 
white woman. You are too frivolous about everything serious. 
(Changing his tone to one of affection.) You're good fellows, 
though, and I know you'll stand by me, no matter what 
happens. 

Faffart. Yes, indeed, we will. 

Dupont. You are to us as to the Indian girl, a sort of 
religion. There comes the girl now. Mind your manners, 
Faffart. 

(Anishaque comes near the fire with a birch bowl of 
water.) 

Anishaque, (to Dupont) Hold this. (Dupont holds the 
bowl and Anishaque takes some herbs from her medicine bag 
and throws them into the water. She then takes the bowl 
and offers it to du Luth.) Drink this. Good medicine for 
tired man. He sleep well. 

(Du Lhut takes the bowl and drinks, then passes it on to 
Faffart and Dupont, who also drink, then go off, left, rear.) 

Du Lhut. Thank you, Anishaque. 

Anishaque, (in a droivsy and monotonous tone.) This 
medicine I gathered from woods at sunrise. It was out there 
where come Mide spirits, on that long sandy point of land. 
Otter made it sacred ground. Otter's shining back was first 
seen far away in waves where rising sun shines on great salt 
water sea. Red men then saw Otter's back in that 
great river with many islands ; then where two lakes meet, at 
Bawiting, then at Madeline. Otter then came to this end 
of Kitchee Gummee. He came up through waters of great 
lake and forced up the sand. So it was great Otter made this 
long point of land. And great Otter is Mide religion. 

(This is recited like an incantation, Anishaque raising 
her hands as if working a charm. At last du Lhut yawns and 
goes sleepily into his wigwam. Anishaque goes out at right, 
rear. All is soon perfectly quiet. The fire gives out a dull 
glow. Black-foot and Low Sky come in noiselessly from left, 
front. They peer about a.mong the trees here and there. 
Suddenly they hear a strange cry (G) which seems to come 
from over the lake. They run swiftly to left near front.) 

Low Sky. Loon gives warning that manidos no like what 
Black-foot will do. 

Black-foot. That was only wild bird flying over Kitchee 
Gummee. Why speak of manidos ? Come, put out fire. 

(The tivo Indians come forward again silently and tread 
out the fire, so that the stage is dimly lighted by the moon. 
The sound of a distant Indian drum is heard as if coming from 
the Point. The two Indians rush forward.) 

Low Sky. I no like this work. Manidos talking to us. 



SIEUR DU LHUT 15 

Do you hear Mide drum ? No one out there on Point to play it. 
It is manidos. They tell us no touch pale faces who have 
smoked peace pipe. 

Black-foot. Go away, coward. (Pushing Low Sky to 
left.) I take scalp of White Warrior. I never let him take 
Anishaque for squaw. I kill her first. 

(Lotv Sky does not stir. Black-foot goes forward and 
stands near du Lhut's wigwam, listening to his breathing.) 

Low Sky. (Aside.) Black-foot bad Indian. I no let 
him take scalp of pale face. I warn Sioux tribe. 

(He runs toward the rear. At the same time Black-foot 
goes to the front of du Lhut's tvigwam and lifts the flap. A 
shrill war whoop is heard. Black-foot runs a little way 
toivards the left, front, and stands as if petrified. Almost 
immediately the stage is filled with Indians, carrying fire 
brands and tomahaivks, uttering fierce war cries. They find 
no one on the stage but Black-foot and Low Sky.) 

Chief Ouasicoude. Who called Sioux Warriors from 
sleep? Where are Foxes or Chippewas who came into our 
camp with war cry? 

Black-foot. I heard loud war cry and came here first. 
Then came Low Sky. We found no one not of our tribe. 

Anishaque. (Coming from the shadows.) Black-foot 
enemy of our tribe. He came to take scalp of White Warrior 
who smoked peace pipe with Ouasicoude. He shame to this 
tribe. He must be killed. Let Low Sky go find his own people. 
He never want scalp of pale face who has smoked Sioux peace 
pipe. (Sound of Mide drum from the Point.) 

Chief. Black-foot must die. Anishaque tell truth. Man- 
idos say she right. Listen. Hear Mide drum out there. 
Black-foot must die. (H.) 

(The Indians go off at right, rear, leading Black-foot. 
Low Sky slips into the shadow of the trees at the left, front. 
When the stage is cleared, Anishaque hurries to the spot ivhere 
Low Sky disappeared.) 

Anishaque. (Calling.) Low Sky, Low Sky. (After a 
short time Low Sky appears.) Why my brother come here 
with Black-foot, after all in wigwam? 

Low Sky. I no want to live in Sioux camp. 

Anishaque. But Chief Ouasicoude good father to us all. 

Low Sky. Black-foot say we take Anishaque and make 
camp far away. 

Anishaque. I never go to wigwam of Black-foot. He bad 
Indian. Low Sky always good Indian. 

Low Sky. I no want scalp of pale face. 



16 SIEHR DU LHUT 

Anishaque. No, but you ready to help Black-foot. He 
have scalp of pale face this minute if I no use my Mide charms. 
I make loon call. I make drum sound. I make war cry. I 
scare Black-foot. I scare Low Sky too. I save great White 
Warrior. 

Low Sky. I go back to Chippewa band. 

Anishaque. And leave your sister, Anishaque? 

Low Sky. Anishaque come, too. 

Anishaque. Not now. Later, maybe. You go now but 
come back sometime. I meet my brother in forest near Mille 
Lac. He know where? He no forget? 

Low Sky. Low Sky see his sister soon. 

(Low Sky darts away. Anuhaque goes softly to the 
wigwam of du Lhut, listens a moment, then makes up a neiv 
fire over the ashes of the one extinguished by Black-foot. 
Anishaque sings the love charm song (I) luhile she kindles the 
fire. After the song she dratvs back into the shadoiv, at right, 
front. Du Lhut steps from his wigwam. He looks about, finds 
everything quiet and seats himself by the fire.) 

Du Lhut, What a wonderful night ! So quiet and peace- 
ful after the v/ild dreams I have had. I would have sworn that 
I heard a woman's voice singing. Such a wierd song it was, 
so sad and full of longing ! How I love these chilly nights in 
the forest, that make one feel the cheer of a good camp fire! 
(Du Lhut notices the fire.) How is it that this one burns so 
brightly? It looks as if some one had just made it up afresh. 
(Calling) Faffart. Dupont. (No answer.) (Anishaque 
comes slowly from the bushes.) 

Anishaque. It is Anishaque who guards great White 
Warrior. She will send away to death bad Indians. She will 
change hearts of jealous people in far away land of sunrise. 
Anishaque always serve and guard great White Warrior, 
When he need her, just call. (Anishaque goes back to her 
place in the shadow, singing softly. Du Lhut watches her 
dreamily.) 

Du Lhut. Is it for Anishaque I feel this sudden glow? 
(He takes a few faltering steps in the direction of the Indian 
girl, — then as if in a dream, gathers himself together and steps 
forivard.) No, it is Isabelle I love, I am true to her. There 
is no wavering. 

(Du Lhut sinks tvearily upon his seat by the fire, his head 
resting on his hand. As he sits gazing into the embers, 
Anishaque's Love Charm song sounds softly.) (L) 

CURTAIN. 



SIEUR DU LHUT 17 



ACT 11. SCENE I. 
Time: Late afternoon, August, 1680. 

Scene : In the heart of the forest, on the watj to Kathio. 
Faff art and Dupont enter from left, rear, with rolls of blankets 
and other camp things. They lay down their packs ivearily 
and sit on them to rest. Du Lhut soon follows. He lays down 
his bundles but remains standing, wiping his face and looking 
tired. 

FafFart. We're certainly off the trail. Last time we saw 
Ouasicoude he told us we could come this way, but we've 
missed it somewhere. Low Sky ought to know, though. He's 
as clever an Indian guide as I have ever seen. 

Du Lhut. He's both clever and devoted. Takes the lion's 
share of the work on himself. He is far better than that 
Sioux we had last time. 

Dupont. And what a hunter ! He throws down his pack, 
shoots off into the woods and before I could light my pipe he 
is back with a fat partridge. 

Faffart. I wish he would bring one now. I have the 
appetite of a wolf and could eat one alive. 

Du Lhut. We're all pretty tired and hungry. We'll go 
on a little farther and if we don't find a clear trail, we'll give 
it up for the night. We just passed a fine spring and there's 
plenty of balsam about here. I'm tired out, too. What a day, 
tramping through swamps filled with briers ! Come, we'll go 
on for a while. 

(The three men go out at right. Anishaque steals in from 
the left, front, looks after the men, following them to the exit, 
then returns to center. Low Sky soon enters from left, rear, 
carrying an inverted, canoe on his head. Anishaque looks at 
him in wonder. He puts doiun the canoe.) 

Anishaque. You, Low Sky, how you come here? 

Low Sky. You knov/ I guide du Lhut to Kathio. 

Anishaque. But clear trail other side. This way too 
hard for pale face. 

Low Sky. Low Sky guide for du Lhut. He bring him 
where Anishaque come to pick berries. Why so? Anishaque 
love du Lhut. Low Sky good brother. 

Anishaque. How he know I love du Lhut? 



18 SIEUR DU LHUT 

Low Sky. How not know? 

Anishaque. Low Sky is right. All know that Anishaque 
love Sieur du Lhut. (After a slight pause.) Good brother, 
you go find him. Send him here quick. Make him camp here 
tonight. Tomorrow at sunrise you lead him quick by good 
trail to Kathio. I tell him of white captives. He not know? 
Low Sky. Yes, he know. It is why he follow trail so fast, 
hardly sleep or eat. You tell him. See what he say. He tell 
me he want to go to great salt lake you tell him about. But 
when he hear of French captives in Sioux camp, he leave big 
canoe and heavy things. He leave two men with them and he 
hurry up as fast he can. 

Anishaque. You go quick. Send Sieur du Lhut here. 
Other men can come later. (Pushing Loiv Sky toward the exit 
at the right.) Go quick! 

(Low Sky hurries out at right, front. Du Lhut enters 
from the right, rear, and sees Anishaque.) 

Du Lhut, Anishaque, child, whatever brought you here 
so far from Kathio? 

Anishaque. Ouasicoude camp here two days for hunting. 
He come every year in rice-gathering moon. Anishaque always 
come too, and stay two days longer. Squaws pick berries in 
swamp. Sieur du Lhut never forget Anishaque? 

Du Lhut. Du Lhut is not the man to forget a friend, 
especially when that friend is Anishaque. 

Anishaque, (radiantly). Indians love Sieur du Lhut. 

Du Lhut. That's because I am like an Indian. With all 
the hardships of the trail, the happiest moments of my life are 
spent in the forest. To me the downiest bed is not so sweet 
as a bed of balsam in the deep wood where I can hear the 
rustle of the wind in the trees and the sound of trickling water. 

Anishaque. Let Anishaque make Sieur du Lhut balsam 
bed here by cool spring. Here he shall rest till sunrise. But 
first I tell him there are two pale face captives in camp of 
Ouasicoude. His men take all from poor pale faces. Ouasi- 
coude very angry but can do nothing. 

Du Lhut. But the calumet! We smoked the peace pipe 
together. Does that mean nothing? The poor fellows! We 
must go right on tonight and rescue them. 

Anishaque. No good. Low Sky never find right trail 
tonight. Go on tomorrow. Sleep here by spring tonight. 
Anishaque make wigwam, bring wood, cut balsam, cook sup- 
per for great White Warrior. Anishaque do everything for 
great White Warrior. 

Du Lhut. Go tell my men to come back to the spring, 
then. 



SIEUR DU LHUT 19 

(Anishaque starts reluctantly towards the exit at right.) 

Du Lhut, (aside). The tribe of Ouasicoude with French 
captives! What does it mean? 

Anishaque, (returning). I go soon call Low Sky. He 
bring back other men. I run very fast. (Pleadingly) Let me 
wait a little while first. Anishaque want Sieur du Lhut alone 
just a little. She wait through long moons of summer, long 
moons of winter. Sieur du Lhut never know how long time 
surnmer is, how long time winter is while he never come to 
Anishaque. When leaves are red and yellow she run to place 
where Low Sky always find good hunting. She see him soon 
and she say: "Bring Sieur du Lhut to Kathio." Low Sky 
say: "Sieur du Lhut hold great council fire at end of Kitchee 
Gummee. He make plan for great fort on Thunder Bay." 

Du Lhut. You are a good friend, Anishaque. You never 
forget me. 

• Anishaque. I forget Sieur du Lhut! No, No! When 
wind shake trees of great forest I hear his voice speaking. 
When grey smoke rise from camp fire, — when white mist 
sweep across blue lake, — I see him walking to me through 
smoke and mist. (Anishaque sinks to her knees beside du 
Lhut.) Sieur du Lhut stay with our tribe. Anishaque no can 
live if great White Warrior go far away. 

Du Lhut, (pressing his hands over Anishaque' s head). 
Anishaque, I believe you are the truest friend I have in the 
world. Tonight by the camp fire I will tell you everything. 
Go now, quick. Call Low Sky. He must catch up with my 
men and bring them back. (Anishaque hurries out at the 
right. Du Lhut picks up his gun.) Poor girl ! Poor Anisha- 
que! I must tell her of my love for Isabelle. 

(Du Lhut turns and goes slowly towards the back.) 

CURTAIN. 



20 SIEUR DU LHUT 



ACT II, SCENE II. 
Time: The day following that of Scene I. 

Scene : Open space at the edge of the Indian village of 
Kathio on Mille Lac. At the left, rear, a post and a bundle of 
hay for the burning of captives. At the extreme left 
Indians are seated on the ground, singing (J). In the 
center, near the back, a fire. Over it a pot hangs from a 
tripod of green birch. About the fire are Mahtohota, Istaba 
and two other tall Indians. They help themselves from the 
pot, drawing out pieces of meat by means of sharpened sticks. 
After eating the meat Mahtohota lifts out an animal's skull 
and hurls it towards the front of the stage, all giving wild 
yells. Mahtohota rises and goes slowly towards the skull 
— which represents the enemy. He is on the trail, a scout, 
looking down for foot prints, and looking about on all sides, 
shading his eyes, hoping to catch sight of the enemy. When 
he finds the skull, he gives it a hard blow with his tomahawk. 
The other three Indians repeat this pantomime, following 
quickly. This dance — the "skull dance" — is interrupted by 
the entrance of the whole band of Indians. They come in with 
yells, dragging d.u Gay, and place him on a log near the front, 
at the right. They sing wildly and dunce the war dance about 
him. (D) The squaws take no part in the dance but group them- 
selves at each side and watch the braves. Picard du Gay is in 
oy^dinary European dress of the time but his face is painted 
with two colors. His hair is anointed with bear's grease and 
brought forward in two braids. A tuft of white feathers is on 
his head, in his hand an Indian rattle — a gourd filled with 
small stones. Following the arrival of du Gay, Ouasicoude, 
Wandi Duta and Aquepagatin come in slowly and seat them- 
selves on the ground at the left, drawing their blankets about 
their heads.) 

Istaba (to du Gay). You sing now, or you burn. 

Du Gay. I can't sing. 

Istaba. You sing with the Sioux. We all sing. (He 
sings a few phrases (J) and waits. Du Gay makes no sound 
except to shake his rattle.) 

Mahtohota. Bring fire! (Several Indians bring fire- 
brands and threaten to set du Gay on fire.) 

Istaba. You sing now. (He sings phrases and du Gay 
tries to imitate. The Indians laugh and howl, dancing 
around.) 



SIEUR DU LHUT 21 

Mahtohota. Bind him to stake. (Du Gay is dragged to 
the post.) We light fires. 

Istaba. Bring in old Father Louis. 

Mahtohota. We divide all presents ; hatches, knives and 
fire-sticks. 

Istaba. We take scalps and burn. 

Ouasicoude, (rising.) No take scalps. We smoke peace 
pipe with pale face. 

Mantohota. We take scalps. 

Istaba. We burn. 

Ouasicoude. First to speak of scalps or burning shall die. 

Istaba. I scalp! I light fire! (He snatches one of the 
fire-brands and rushes totvards du Gay. Ouasicoude raises his 
war club to strike. The other Indians grasp Ouasicoude' s arm 
and push him back towards Aquepagatin and Wandi Duta 
with tvhom he talks in pantomime. Other Indians push Istaba 
back as Father Hennepin is brought in. Aquepagatin steps 
forward.) 

Aquepagatin. Ho, ho. (Pause.) No burning and no 
scalps. I take Father Louis for son. My son die on war path. 
That Indian, (pointing to his brother) take other pale face. 
(He takes a few whiffs from his pipe and offers it to Henne- 
pin. All three are pushed back by the angry hidians.) 

Mahtohota. Ho ! Ho ! We divide presents. (Two 
Indians bring forivard the property of Father Hennepin and 
du Gay, piling it in the center of the stage. The other Indians 
crowd around the pile, bending over it eagerly. Mahtohota 
takes first several hatchets, knives and guns and distributes 
them among Istaba and the other Chiefs. Another parcel of 
things he distributes among the other men. Some blankets 
and 07iiaments he gives to the women. He then brings forivard 
Hennepin and takes off his priestly vestments. These are 
divided among the people. One of the young Indians takes the 
chasuble and sti^uts about with it on his back. Hennepin is 
left in his black robe and stands there pitifully, his shaved 
head boived, his hands folded. The Indians bring forward a 
small chest and a chalice, covered by a white cloth. Mahtohota 
makes Hennepin open the chest. When he sees in it nothing 
but papers and books, he gives them back to Hennepin and 
motions him to lock the chest. He tosses the cloth to one of the 
squaws. He then raises the cup, turning aivay his eyes. The 
Indians act afraid, shading their eyes.) 

Ouasicoude. Indians no touch Bright Spirit. Death 
come ! 

(Mahtohota lifts the chalice and tosses it contemptuously 
in the air, catching it like a ball. Father Hennepin cries out 



22 SIEUR DU LHUT 

as he tries to rescue the cup, but is pushed roughly back. They 
start to drag him to the stake, crying, "Sing! Sing! He 
burn !" Du Lhut and his men come in from the rear, parting 
the raging Indians.) 

Du Lhut. Hold ! (The Indians fall back in silence.) 

Hennepin, (with deep emotion). Benedicite. (He grasps 
du Lhut's hand, but the Indians force him back.) 

Hennepin. My son, you come in time. See how they 
treat the Holy Father. See how they desecrate the sacred 
vestments. 

Du Lhut, (looking sternly at the Indians, who stand as if 
petrified.) What is this I see? Our Holy Father a captive in 
the camp of the Isati, he and his companion made prisoners 
and robbed by the Indians, who have smoked the peace pipe 
with me. Does not Chief Ouasicoude wear at this moment the 
medal I gave him, a present from the King of France ? Did he 
not accept tokens from me and give others in return, exchang- 
ing promises of friendship between us forever? We traveled 
together as brothers and I planted the lilies of France in the 
midst of the village of Kathio. Did not the whole tribe dance 
around the banner and hold council? What did the braves 
decide around the council fire? Eternal friendship. One 
summer later we come back and find two Frenchmen in the 
camp. Are they honored guests of the Nadouissioux? No, 
they are captives. The presents they brought have been 
stolen from them. Worst of all, these Indians have made 
captive our Holy Father, who gave up everything to come and 
teach them our religion. Come, Father Louis, we will go. The 
King of France would not allow us to have dealings with those 
who deceive us. 

(Du Lhut turns to go but the Indians crowd around him. 
Chief Ouasicoude sits with his head covered by his blanket.) 

Wandi Duta. Ouasicoude not chief who took captives. 

Aquepagatin. He would kill those Indians who wanted 
scalps. 

Wandi Duta. They bad Indians. We good Indians. 

Aquepagain. We all friends of French King. 

Wandi Duta. We smoke peace pipe with Sieur du Lhut. 

(Wandi Duta brings the calumet to du Lhut, but he does 
not accept it.) 

Du Lhut. No, I accept no calumets from those who have 
so ill-treated our great priest. The captives will go away 
with us. 

(The Indians are not willing to give up the captives. They 
place themselves before them and stand in sulky silence.) 

Du Lhut. The captives come with us or we break friend- 



SIEUR DU LHUT 23 

ship forever. The French traders will never come to buy 
your skins and give you knives and fire sticks. (After a 
moment's pause.) Is it decided? Father Louis and du Gay 
come with us? 

Ouasicoude. Let the pale face captives go. 

(The Indians move to one side. Father Hennepin and du 
Gay step forward.) 

Hennepin. They took from me my priestly robes. 

Ouasicoude. The Indians would burn Father Louis. I 
saved him. 

Hennepin. They made me swim water filled with ice. I 
climbed the bank bleeding and ready to die. 

Ouasicoude. Better than leave you in forest to die. 

Hennepin. When it was hard for me to travel as fast as 
the swift-footed savages they set fire to the grass behind me 
so that I must run or be caught by the flames. 

Ouasicoude. Better run than burn. 

Du Lhut. I see that the Sioux have badly treated our 
priest. It will be hard for us to forgive. The French traders — 

(Du Lhut is interrupted hy an Indian runner tvho comes 
to Ouasicoude, crying.) 

Runner. Two men Sieur du Lhut left by Great Falls. 
They guard canoe and blankets. One man steal two fine skins 
which a Sioux brave hang over swift falling water. His squaw 
make beautiful the skins by work of many moons. This pres- 
ent to Great Spirit who lives under roaring water stolen by 
pale face. 

(The runner forces a ivay through the crowd and falls to 
the ground, exhausted. With war cries and waving toma- 
hawks the Indians seize all the white men.) 

Indians. We kill pale faces. 

Du Lhut. Listen to the White Warrior. (Silence except 
for sullen mutterings.) (Du Lhut shakes himself free from 
the grasp of an Indian.) The man you call ''Big Chief" speaks 
to the nation of the Nadouissioux. We will give back the skins, 
My men do not understand the Indian religion. They do not 
know that the spirits live in the water, in the trees, in the 
stars. I will punish my men and they will give back the skins. 
Listen to the White Warrior again. Father Louis prays to our 
Great Spirit for us. He prays to the Holy Mother. All his 
things are sacred. The Great Spirit speaks to us through 
these things and we see him smiling on us in the shining of 
the silver cup. The Sioux do not understand. They make a 
captive of our priest and take away his sacred garments. Du 
Lhut forgives the Sioux. Ouasicoude and his people will for- 
give my men. They stole the skins but they will be sorry and 



24 SIEUR DU LHUT 

will return them. You will give back to Father Louis the 
things you have taken from him. We v^ill all be friends again 
and the French traders will come again to the Nadouissioux. 

(The Indians are much impressed by the speech. Many 
expressions of "ho, ho." Ouasicoude motions to them to let 
the captives go, and they obey.) 

Ouasicoude. The Sioux understand now. We give back 
the things we took from Father Louis and his men. Next we 
smoke peace pipe. Then Ouasicoude ready to go wdth big 
Chief, Sieur du Lhut, take back skins stolen from Sioux brave. 

(Du Lhut offers his hand to Ouasicoude who comes for- 
ward to take it, when the voice of a runner is heard. He comes 
in swiftly from the left.) 

Runner. Anishaque dead! Anishaque say she never 
marry chiefs son. She jump from high rock into deep lake. 
Our people see her never any more. 

(The Indians moan, covering their faces with their 
blankets.) 

Du Lhut, (With emotion). My truest and best friend! 

(The Indians sing the Death Song (H) as the curtain 
falls.) 

CURTAIN. 



SIEUR DU LHUT 25 



ACT III. 
Time: A summer evening, 1682. 

Scene: Garden of a country house not far from 
Montreal. The St. Lawrence in the background, the river 
flanked by a parapet ivith landing and steps. Near the front 
at the right and at the left are rustic seats. From behind the 
scenes coynes occasionally the sound of dance music, time of 
Louis the Fourteenth, suggesting that a ball is in progress. 
As curtai7i music, a voyageur song is sung by several voices in 
unison. One must imagine that paths lead from left to right 
where, just out of sight, is supposed to be the house entrance. 
Those attending the ball have alighted from their carriages at 
the left and pass through the garden to the entrance of the 
house. First come Jean and Isabelle de Mirval. 

Isabelle. You go in first, Jean, and find your demoiselle. 

Jean. You are tired, Isabelle. There's no hurry about 
going in. 

Isabelle. Annette may be waiting for you. We are a 
little late. I would be glad to sit here awhile. Just give me 
ten minutes or so. (Isabelle sinks tvearily upon a garden seat 
at right.) You can send Pierre Dubois out for me if you find 
him in the ball room. I have promised him that he shall be 
my special escort this evening. If he has not yet arrived, 
please come back for me yourself after awhile. 

Jean. Very well, dear little sister. 

(Jean starts off towards the right but turns back again 
and bends over Isabelle tenderly.) 

Jean (ivith solicitude) . Are you ill, Isabelle? You look 
so disturbed, tonight. Has anything gone wrong? 

Isabelle. No, Jean, I'm just tired to death; have been 
doing too much this last week. A few moments alone, here, 
and I shall be all right again. Go on, now. That's a dear 
brother. 

Jean. Stay here in this quiet garden a little while, then. 
The rest will do you good. 

(Isabelle luatches Jean until he has disappeared at the 
right, then rises hastily. She snatches a letter from her bosom 
and tears off the seal, eagerly.) 

Isabelle, (excitedly and pressing the letter to her lips.) 



26 SIEUR DU LHUT 

I shall see him again after all this time. (Reading the letter 
aloud) "Dear Mademoiselle, I have made every effort to see 
you during the three days of my stay here, but when I called, 
you were always out. I left no card, hoping to find you at 
home next time. I send this letter at the last moment. If you 
have the least feeling of cordiality for an old friend, for the 
love of heaven give me an opportunity to see you alone for a 
few moments tonight at the ball. I must leave for France 
tomorrow. Yours devotedly, Daniel Gresollon du Lhut." He 
still loves me. (Pressing the letter to her bosom in ecstasy). 
I am sure of it, and I will tell him how I love him, too, how I 
think of him night and day. (She kisses the letter passion- 
ately. Suddenly her mood changes.) What am I saying? 
Isabelle de Mirval in love with a fur trader, a man of whom 
rumor reports base intrigues and traitorous plots against his 
country? Never! Where is my pride ? 

(As Isabelle presses the letter again to her lips Sieur du 
Lhut enters from the left, rear. Seeing her attitude and recog- 
nizing his letter, he is instantly at her side. He throws his arm 
about her.) 

Sieur du Lhut, (fervently). Isabelle, you love me. (His 
voice trembles with passion.) You love me in spite of your- 
self. You can not deny it. (Du Lhut holds Isabelle in a close 
embrace, kissing her again and again. She does not resist. 
Suddenly they hear the sound of an approaching carriage. At 
once they assume formal position. Du Lhut takes two cards 
from his pocket. As Pierre Dubois enters from the left he 
sees du Lhut writing.) 

Du Lhut, (handing one of the cards to Isabelle and bowing 
profoundly). It is the fifth dance, then. Au revoir, 
Mademoiselle. (Du Lhut, tmming to go out, bows to Dubois.) 
Monsieur. 

(Du Lhut hurries away, disappearing at the right, rear. 
Isabelle sinks upon the garden seat, looking frightened and 
collapsed. She presses her handkerchief to her eyes. Pierre 
Dubois watches her a moment, then steps up to her.) 

Dubois. What is the matter, Isabelle? You look fairly 
ill. 

Isabelle, (regaining her composure) No, Pierre, not ill, 
but very tired, and somewhat embarrassed because Sieur du 
Lhut found me out here alone. I asked my brother to send you 
to me if he found you in the ball room. 

Dubois. Forgive me for being a little late. It was be- 
cause of a small accident on the way from Montreal. If you 
are tired, Isabelle, let us stay out here in the garden. 

Isabelle. I would be glad to sit here awhile and then go 



SIEUR DU LHUT 27 

home if we had not sent away the carriage. I am really too 
tired to dance. Would you mind giving up the ball? 

Dubois. I would gladly give up the ball or anything else 
for the chance of a serious word with you. I have tried a 
hundred times to tell you what is in my heart. (Turning 
suddenly and seizing Isabelle by the arm.) Isabelle, may I 
find Monsieur de Mirval and ask for your hand in marriage? 

Isabelle, (rising, releasing herself) Oh, there you're 
flying off again. Must one always talk of marriage? Detest- 
able idea! 

Dubois. A quiet town man never has a chance. Since 
Sieur du Lhut returned to Montreal, you and all the other girls 
seem bewitched. You have no interest for anything but 
adventures. I hear he's to be at the ball tonight (glancing at 
Isabelle) and I suppose you girls will all follow him about to 
hear the latest news in the fur trading industry. It's a shame 
that a mere rover, a coureur de bois, should turn all your 
heads. They say he left a handsome Indian sweetheart behind 
him in the woods beyond the great lake, his precious Kitchee 
Gummee. She even tried to kill herself for love of him, 
jumped from a high rock into a lake. But suicide by drowning 
is a difficult thing for a good swimmer. Sieur du Lhut will be 
glad to find her again when he goes back to the woods. 

Isabelle, (stamping her foot impatiently). Come on. I 
hear some one. We will go in and dance. (They cross to the 
right and disappear. Sir Landsdowne and Sir Markham enter 
from the left.) 

Sir Landsdowne, (looking about to see that no one is 
near.) I tell you we must win him over for the Hudson's Bay 
Company. 

Sir Markham. But how bring it about? It is very well 
to say : "We must win him over," but to do it will not be so 
easy. 

Sir Landsdowne. Just leave that to me. I have a plan 
and the time is ripe. His power among the Indians is wonder- 
ful. They trust him implicitly, and his voice in the council is 
strong enough to decide almost any question. 

Sir Markham. Very true! And he is using this power 
to extend the influence of Count Frontenac. 

Sir Landsdowne. But save for the approval of Count 
Frontenac, what thanks does he get? 

Sir Markham. Not many, I must admit. 

Sir Landsdowne. I will call his attention to the ugly stories 
that are floating about, due to the jealousy of La Salle and the 
malice of Duchesneau. Knowing these reports to be false, he 
will resent them and will be willing to come over to us. I am 



28 SIEUR DU LHUT 

empowered, as you know, to make him a magnificent offer and 
he will accept it. This will mean for England and the Hud- 
son's Bay Company complete triumph in the fur trading 
industry. 

Sir Markham. Very well, I hope you will succeed. 
Knowing Sieur du Lhut slightly, I do not feel the same con- 
fidence. He has the kindest feelings towards the English, but 
to turn his influence against France ! That is another matter, 
and I can't imagine an offer that would tempt him. However, 
I will ask him to meet you some time this evening. (As the two 
men pass otu at the right enter at the left Madame Barre, with 
her daughters, Elise and Toinette. They are full of gaiety.) 

Elise, (excitedly). They say he'll be here. We shall see 
him dance. Perhaps he'll ask me. 

Toinette. Did the beautiful Indian girl really want to die 
for him? 

Mme. Barre. Silly child, you must not believe all the 
fairy stories you hear. 

Toinette: Is he very handsome? Does he look like a 
prince? 

Madame Barre. Make haste, children. If you don't 
hurry, you'll be too late for the ball. (The ladies pass quickly 
out of sight at the right, front. Dubois and Isabelle enter from 
the right, rear.) 

Isabelle, (gaily). What a relief after the hot ball room! 
It will be charming to dance out here under the trees. 

Dubois, (ivith a7i operatic manner). To dance with 
Isabelle among the trees and flowers! 

Isabelle, (Imitating his manner). Yes, to dance with 
Isabelle — and always to dance! The moon on the river, the 
fire flies in the shadows ! (After a slight pause). I feel like a 
sprite. What if I should dance into the forest and never find 
myself again? (Isabelle takes some dance steps towards the 
grove at the left.) 

Dubois (following her). I am certainly like the poor 
wanderer who follows a will o' the wisp. (Isabelle dances out 
at left, Dubois folloiving her, while Sir Markham and Elise 
enter the garden and seat themselves on the rustic seat at the 
right.) 

Markham. You have the true spirit of French gaiety, 
you belles of Montreal. Is your friend, Isabelle de Mirval, a 
heartless flirt or is this vivacity only a play? As we stepped 
into the garden, on arriving here, I overheard her say she was 
too tired to dance. She was ready to go home again without 
entering the house. Now she is light-winged as a butterfly. 

Elise. Oh, there is no understanding Isabelle, though she 



SIEUR DU LHUT 29 

is one of the dearest and best girls I ever knew. I am afraid 
she is a sad coquette, though, and perhaps she carries her wild 
caprices too far sometimes. We used to think her very much 
in love with Sieur du Lhut. He was certainly in love with her. 

Markham. I fancy he is a little gloomy about something. 
He has not a very good reputation for honesty, as I hear. 

(As these words are spoken du Lhut crosses the stage just 
behind Markham and Elise. He looks troubled, turns, hesi- 
tates a moment, as if wishing to reply, then passes on to the 
left and leans on the parapet ivhich extends along the river.) 

Elise. He is the soul of honor but there are jealous 
enemies in high places. 

Markham. He is certainly much troubled about some- 
thing. 

Elise. He has had some disappointments, but no one can 
explain just what they are. We all thought he was on the 
point of marrying when suddenly, scarcely installed in his new 
house, he sold it to his wealthy uncle. Monsieur Patron. He 
bought himself a trading outfit and in a few days he was off 
for the Indian country. They say he has been wonderfully 
successful with the red men and he must like the life of a 
rover. (Dubois and Isabelle return to the garden.) He 
seldom comes back to Montreal although he has a host of warm 
friends here. He is not often taciturn as you see him tonight. 
Quite the contrary. His charming manners are as acceptable 
to white people as to Indians. We all wish he would give up 
his wandering life and take up his abode with us again. 

(The music of the dance begins. Sir Markham and Elise 
rise, Jean de Mirval and his lady, Toinette Barre and her 
escort enter from the 7'ight. The gentlemen push the rustic 
seats towards the wings. Du Lhut comes forward and ap- 
proaches Isabelle.) 

Du Lhut. I believe I have the honor to claim Made- 
moiselle de Mirval for this dance. 

Isabelle, ( coquettishly ) . O, no, Sieur du Lhut. It is the 
next one. This dance belongs to Monsieur Dubois. Absent 
minded man that you are ! You come to a ball and do not even 
remember the name of your next partner. 

Du Lhut. Pardon me. Mademoiselle. I am not dancing 
a great deal this evening and the name of my next partner 
makes a strong impression on my mind. 

Isabelle. You flatter me too much, Sieur du Lhut. (Im- 
periously). Go now and find a lady. We are going to dance 
out here in the garden under the trees. 

Du Lhut. Permit me rather to watch you. 

(The young people take their places and dance the pavan 



30 SIEUR DU LHUT 

— or minuet. — Du Lhut joins Madame Barre near the parapet. 
At the close of the dance the young men replace the rustic 
seats. Du Lhut comes forward and claims Isabelle.) 

Du Lhut. Will you stay in the garden with me until the 
music begins again ? 

Isabelle. Certainly I will. That is unless you are too 
cross. (She waves her hand to Dubois, who goes away rather 
sulkily. The other young people follow and all disappear at 
the right. Isabelle seats herself at the left, using her fan 
violently.) 

Du Lhut (standing near her) . Will you excuse me if I ask 
a direct question ? 

Isabelle. One must answer Sieur du Lhut. 

Du Lhut. Are you playing your old game of coquette or 
are you really going to accept that enamored young man? 

Isabelle. What right have you to ask such a question? 
And why should I not play the coquette? Why should I not 
change my mind every fifteen minutes ? It is a woman's privi- 
lege. It seems sometimes that it is a man's privilege to do the 
same. 

Du Lhut, (seriously and tenderly). There is one thing, 
Isabelle, about which I have never changed my mind for a 
moment. 

Isabelle. Perhaps you have forgotten that some time ago 
you spent an evening at my home. Your attentions were very 
marked and you even said that I was the first girl who had 
ever stirred your heart. 

Du Lhut. That was true. You were the first. (Coming 
nearer). And you are — 

Isabelle, (dancing away coquettishly). Perhaps you have 
forgotten that the day after you had made these protestations, 
you arranged to sell the house you had just built and, without 
a word of "goodbye," you were off for the Indian country. 

Du Lhut. Perhaps you have forgotten the way our last 
evening was spent. My efforts to speak with you seriously 
were always met with flippant sallies of heartless wit. 

Isabelle: To which you should have replied in the same 
way. Sieur du Lhut should certainly know the noble art of 
fencing. I have never forgotten the clumsy way in which he 
answered my thrusts. 

Du Lhut. Have you forgotten that you sneered at Sieur 
du Lhut, called him a coureur de bois, a trader, a business 
man? 

Isabelle, (turning quickly). That's what you are, too. 
(With sudden tenderness) . Give it all up, and then see how 



SIEUR DU LHUT 31 

differently you will be treated. The stories about you will all 
be hushed up. 

Du Lhut. Hushed up, indeed ! I stand before the world 
in the broad light of day. All may judge me who will. (Isabelle 
passes in front of him haughtily). As for me, I care only for 
the judgment of my king, (a moment's pause) and to him I 
am going. 

(Si7' Markham and Sir Landsdowne appear at the right, 
rear) . 

Isabelle. If you care only for the judgment of your king, 
why waste your time on insignificant Isabelle de Mirval ? You 
are nothing to me. I prefer Monsieur Dubois. His hands are 
not soiled with trade. Go to the king. And when you return 
to New France you will find your Indian sweetheart waiting 
for you in the woods. 

Du Lhut. If you only had a heart like her's, Isabelle ! 

(Isabelle rushes away, angrily, toivards the right front. 
Sir Markham and Sir Landsdowne enter, cross the stage, and 
approach du Lhut as he stands haughtily looking in the direc- 
tion that Isabelle has taken. Turning to the left he meets the 
two men.) 

Sir Marham. Pardon me. Sieur du Lhut I have prom- 
ised my friend, Sir Landsdowne, the pleasure of a meeting 
with you. If this is not a convenient time — 

Du Lhut, (controlling his anger). Now is the most con- 
venient time, and I shall be glad to meet Sir Landsdowne. I 
leave Montreal tomorrow morning and in a few days I shall 
sail for France. It will be some time before I return. 

Markham. We shall leave early as we, too, are quitting 
the city tomorrow morning. If you will excuse me I will leave 
you alone together a few moments and will make excuses to 
our hostess. (Markham goes out at the right.) 

Landsdowne. Doesn't it strike you that the small aris- 
tocracy of this place is apt to view things in a false light? 
Excuse me, but I heard the words spoken to you by that pert 
young lady who just left you. 

Du Lhut (haughtily). Please go on with your message. 
Sir Landsdowne. 

Landsdowne. I wanted to speak with you about the fur 
trade with the Indians. There is no more desirable and dig- 
nified occupation. It is desirable because the remuneration is 
magnificent, dignified because only men of wonderful bravery 
and commanding personality can succeed as leaders. 

Du Lhut. The fur trade is entirely respectable and dig- 
nified, but it is not my calling. I am sent to increase the 
influence of France among the Indians. Such trade in skins 



32 SIEUR DU LHUT 

as we do carry on from time to time but helps to defray the 
expense of our expeditions. 

Landsdown. But people say of you just the reverse, 
Sieur du Lhut. It is said that you use your commission to give 
cloak to your tricky enterprises? 

Du Lhut. Who dares say that? 

Landsdowne. There are many stories afloat, as you may 
imagine, when even the young ladies of Montreal twit you with 
them. 

Du Lhut. If your message is to bring me insults, you 
have done enough. Our interview is over. (Du Lhut turns 
to go.) 

Landsdowne. Pardon me, this is not my message. I 
wished you to know that I have been informed of the accusa- 
tions against you, and that I do not believe them. To me and 
to the men I represent, you are an honest man. It is for this 
reason that I come to you with a magnificent offer. Your 
efforts are not appreciated by France. They will be appre- 
ciated by England. Use your splendid influence among the 
Indians for the advantage of the Hudson's Bay Company and 
your reward will be princely. (Du Lhut turns aivay haught- 
ily.) Do not be angry. You wall remember that Radisson and 
Grosseilliers went over to England. Radisson even married 
an English wife. 

Du Lhut. That Radisson and Grosseilliers went over to 
England, — and back again, is not to their credit. But that is 
no affair of mine. What other damaging reports of me do you 
bring as an excuse for this offer from England? Perhaps I do 
not know the worst. 

Landsdowne. You would probably call the worst report 
Duchesneau's dispatch to Seignelay, in which he accuses your 
governor, Frontenac, and yourself of carrying on a secret 
trade with the English. Since you are accused of working 
with England why not come out openly and join the Hudson's 
Bay Company? 

Du Lhut: You know the report to be false, else why 
would you come to me with an offer from England? Have you 
more pleasant tales to report? 

Landsdowne: They say you get the Indians into your 
power by cunning tricks — I will not say plainly that you get 
them befuddled by strong drink. But they say you cheat them 
of their valuable furs, giving in return some useless bauble. 

Du Lhut, (turning quietly to Landsdoivne). I have heard 
the accusations against me. I will now give my answer to your 
invitation. I will not be an employee of the Hudson's Bay 
Company ; I will not serve England. I will serve only France. 
I will carry these unjust reports to the king and he will have 



SIEUR DU LHUT 33 

my reputation cleared before the world. I am sure of it. But 
if not, I tell you that I will still serve France and only France. 
I never have and I never will deceive or wrong an Indian. 
Never, if I can help it, shall an Indian buy liquor of one of my 
people. Poor crazy Indians ! They cannot stand strong drink. 
The father kills the son. The son puts his mother into the fire. 
No, NO! The Indians are my friends and I am their friend 
forever. And remember this. Even if I be maligned and 
scorned by all my own people, even if I be trampled under foot 
by the soldiers of France, until the last I shall hold up the 
banner and I shall cry, "France, my France! I serve only 
France." (Carried away by his enthusiasm, du Lhut stands 
motionless a moment, while Landsdoivne m.akes a profound 
reverence and withdraws.) 

CURTAIN FALLS QUICKLY. 



34 SIEUR DU LHUT 



ACT IV. 
Time : Late Afternoon, Summer of 1 68 A. 

Scene: Grassy space near the fort at Michilimackinac, 
forest trees on both sides, a glimpse of Lake Superior in the 
background. Anishaque and Low Sky are seen walking for- 
ward, engaged in conversation. 

Low Sky. It is true. Folle Avoine and Chief's first 
son took scalps of the two Frenchmen, but du Lhut better let 
them alone. If he punish, Indians say, "We kill du Lhut.' 

Anishaque. But Sieur du Lhut say : "Murderers can not 
be let go free. Must be killed. Law say so. If not so, Indians 
always be ready to rob and scalp Frenchmen." 

Low Sky. Four hundred Indians here, only forty-two 
French. 

Anishaque. But Indians call Sieur du Lhut, "Big Chief." 
What he say they do. When he speak, one word from him 
make ten Indians believe — many words make all Indians 
believe. 

Low Sky. Just now they don't want believe. 

Anishaque. Indians must believe. 

Low Sky. Indians must not die by shot from pale face. 
If so, some Indian kill du Lhut. 

Anishaque (anxiously, throwing her arms around Low 
Sky). Not Low Sky. 

Low Sky (throwing her off). Du Lhut too proud. He no 
want my sister for squaw. 

Anishaque. Low Sky, forgive Sieur du Lhut. He could 
never love Anishaque. He always love pale face girl. You 
know that. You know I bring her here to meet him, far away 
from great proud city. I tell her how grand and good he is 
and how he always love her. 

Low Sky. Some Indian kill him if he punish Folle Avoine 
and Chief's son. I go now. I hear step. (Low Sky darts away 
at the left, front.) 

Anishaque. My brother love Anishaque too much. He 
think she like a woman chief. It is a wrong not to love her. 
Anishaque save Sieur du Lhut. 

(Isabelle comes in quickly from right.) 



SIEUR DU LHUT 35 

Isabelle. I am here at last, Anishaque. I have been 
dodging about among the trees. My brother Jean will be 
looking for me. Quick now! What am I to do here? 

Anishaque. You must wait near here under trees till 
you hear two calls. 

Isabelle. How shall I know them ? 

Anishaque. First call I give during council. I make cry 
like a loon. You will hear it. You no come then. I make cry 
second time. You come here then. 

Isabelle. Why shall I come here? 

Anishaque. Sieur du Lhut in danger. 

Isabelle. In danger? (With emotion). Can I be of use 
to him? 

Anishaque. Perhaps yes. 

Isabelle, (with impatience). Tell me at once. What can 
I do? 

Anishaque. You will know when you come to Sieur du 
Lhut. 

Isabelle (almost beside herself). You must explain 
things to me now. Why are you always watching over Sieur 
du Lhut? Are you the Indian sweetheart I used to hear about? 
If so why are you always trying to bring us together? 

Anishaque. I love Sieur du Lhut since I saw him first 
time. He could have taken me for squaw like most pale face 
men in woods. They take Indian girl as squaw then go away, 
leave her in her tribe. He love me too. He call me "Indian 
sister." 

Isabelle (intensely). He loves you? 

Anishaque. I follow him like dog. His heart he keep for 
pale face girl in Montreal. 

Isabelle. Silly pale face girl. 

Anishaque. I love Sieur du Lhut till I hate him and I tell 
my brother Low Sky. Then he hate him too. He so sorry for 
his sister. He love me with such big heart. He want to kill 
Sieur du Lhut because he make me so sorry. But I say "no." 
After a while I love Sieur du Lhut again and would die for 
him. I give him love charm and keep near him to watch. I 
sing him love charm song. Then I come nearer, nearer. He 
tremble. I think, "He is mine now. Anishaque will hold him in 
her arms." He grow pale, lean against a tree a moment. Then 
he turn and look at me with kind eyes and tell me all about 
you. He say how he love you and how he think you love him, 
too, but you too proud. He proud, too. It always end in 
quarrel. 

Isabelle (with tears). You dear, unselfish girl! 



36 SIEUR DU LHUT 

Anishaque (paying no atte^ition to Isabelle's remark). 
After this time Anishaque wish to die. When near Sieur du 
Lhut she can not breathe. When far away she suffer too much. 
One day she jump from high rock into deep lake. Every one 
think she die. She swim under water and come on shore far 
from people. She lay in woods long time and she eat nothing. 
She dream and dream. She dream about Sieur du Lhut. Her 
woman's heart is quiet and she worship him as manido. Then 
Anishaque get up and walk through woods. She find Low Sky 
and they two go towards sunrise land and join their own 
people, the Chippewas. She always hope to find pale face girl. 
One time Anishaque sell pretty grass baskets to white people 
in Montreal and she find you. She tell you about Sieur du 
Lhut and how he want you. So you come. Now you know 
everything. Good bye. I go now. Don't forget. I make loon 
call twice. Second time you come here. Before that you can 
do nothing. Just wait out there (pointing to the left) . Indians 
soon come here for council. 

(Anishaque slips away at the right, front). 

Isabelle. How great and good he is and how shamefully 
I have treated him ! My love has been like a shallow pool when 
compared with the passionate devotion of that strange Indian 
girl ! For the sake of her idol, she seeks out Isabelle whom all 
the world believes to be a heartless coquette. I have been, — 
heartless and selfish. (Isabelle sobs. Suddenly she raises her 
head and, with changed voice). But I shall not forget. She 
loves him with a woman's heart but she worships him as she 
worships a manido. (Isabelle turns to go out and meets her 
brother, Jean, who has entered from the right, rear.) 

Jean. This is a strange place for you, Isabelle. All alone 
here! It is well that I was the one to find you. My aristo- 
cratic sister lurking about in the woods near the fort ! If one 
of the soldiers had discovered you here there would be a nice 
bit of scandal for the mess. 

Isabelle. Please go away, Jean, and leave me alone here. 
Anishaque will soon give me the signal. You must not be here. 

Jean. What signal? Have you lost your head, little 
sister? 

Isabelle. She will give a cry like a loon. She says Sieur 
du Lhut is in danger. I can help him. Go away now, please. 

Jean. This is like an incident in an opera tale, a bit too 
fantastic for real folk like you and me. Rendezvous with a 
strange Indian girl — the cry of a loon — hero in danger — ! 

Isabelle. Jean, stop teasing. Dear brother, I am no 
longer a frivolous girl. I am a serious woman, now, and I 
would do anything for Sieur du Lhut. You know that, you 
good brother, who brought me to Michilimackinac. Go away 



SIEUR DU LHUT 37 

now. I will wait in the woods there until Anishaque gives me 
the signal. I must go. I hear the Indians coming. 

(Isabelle hurries off at the left, front.) 

Jean (following her). I will not leave you here with all 
these Indians about. (J) sounds from the wings. 

(As Jean disa2Jpears at the left, front, Indians come in 
from the right, rear, singing, and seat themselves on the 
ground in a semi-circle. The drum is behind them, near the 
wings or out of sight. All are wrapped in blankets or skins and 
look sullen. Several Indians bring armfuls of balsam boughs 
and pile them up on a small hillock against a tree trunk, mak- 
ing a seat at the right towards the front. Ta-ko-zid, Nah-me- 
gos, Mah-in-gans seat themselves on it. Du Lhut comes in 
among them from the left, rear. They look at him and 
brighten up slightly, in spite of themselves.) 

Du Lhut (Standing in the center) . I have been sent for, 
to talk with the Indians. They believe that I have always 
been fair to them, ("ho, ho's from all sides.) I have been 
told that two Frenchmen have been robbed and killed. Was 
it a Frenchman who robbed and killed them ? 

Low Sky. No, it was not a Frenchman. 

Du Lhut. It was an Englishman, perhaps. 

Tah-ko-zid. No Englishmen at Bawiting, no Englishmen 
at Mackinac. 

Du Lhut. Are the Indians who killed the Frenchmen 
here in the council ? 

Nah-me-gos. No Indians here killed Frenchmen. (In- 
dians approve.) 

Du Lhut. Then it was two of your friends who took the 
scalps. (Du Lhut scans the faces. The Indians grow more 
sullen.) I have been made commandant of this fort and must 
preserve order for the sake of all the French people in Canada, 
also for the sake of the Indians. This is the only way to pre- 
serve our treaty of friendship. If a Frenchman robs and 
murders another Frenchman I must see that he is punished, 
even if he is my brother. Is this right? (The Indiana nod 
their heads. "Ho, ho's" from all sides.) If an Indian mur- 
ders a Frenchman the Indian must be punished. This is the 
duty of a commandant, no matter how hard it may be for him. 
(The Indians look sullen.) Bring in Chief Ashinanaga. (The 
Chief is brought in. He stands erect and haughty.) 

Du Lhut (to the chief). Do you see the Indians who 
killed the Frnechmen? 

Chief (looking at each one with fierce directness) . Indians 
who killed French no here. 

Du Lhut. I believe you, Chief Ashiganaga. (Chief 



38 SIEUR DU LHUT 

moves to right, but remains standing.) Now bring in the 
younger son of the chief. (The Indians play and sing. (C) 
After a moment the young Indian is brought in.) 

Du Lhut. I ask you now, chief, is the man who killed the 
Frenchmen here. 

Chief. He no here. (Signs of approval from the In- 
dians.) 

Du Lhut. Now bring the others who are accused. You, 
Chief Ashiganaga and your son, look them steadily in the eyes 
as they come in. (Folle Avoine and the elder son of Chief 
Ashiganaga are brought in. Their eyes are fixed on the 
ground.) 

Du Lhut (addressing them sharply). Two Frenchmen 
have been killed. Did Chief Ashiganaga kill them? 

Folle Avoine (sullenly). No. 

Du Lhut. Then you killed them, you two who stand there 
with your eyes on the ground, Folle Avoine and the chief's son. 
Is it not so? Answer. (The two Indians say nothing.) 
Which of you two is the murderer? Answer. (Pause.) 
If you are innocent, answer. Then you are both guilty before 
the Great Manido. (After a pause the strange cry is heard, 
as if coming from over the heads of the people. The two In- 
dians fall forward on their faces.) 

Chief Ashiganaga. The manido speaks. It was Folle 
Avoine and my son. They are the ones. 

Mahingans. They accuse themselves, and the manido 
says, "It is true." 

Chief Ashiganaga (stoically). The French are masters 
of their bodies. 

Du Lhut. They are the murderers and they must die. It 
is the law. Take them in charge, Dupont, Faffart. (The men 
take their places on either side of the prisoners and shackle 
them.) 

Low Sky (to Du Lhut, menacingly). A pale face must 
not shoot an Indian. 

Tahkozid. We bring back the stolen goods. 

Nahmegos. Du Lhut must pardon this time. After that 
no Indian kill or steal. 

Low Sky. We kill all French if du Lhut no pardon these 
two red men. 

Du Lhut. As commandant of the fort, I must do my 
duty. The Indians know that du Lhut loves them but fears no 
man so greatly that he is afraid to do what is right. Dupont, 
Faffart, dispose of the prisoners. (They are led away. The 
Indians howl with rage, draw together with lowering looks. 



SIEUR DU LHUT 39 

After a moment of tense silence shots are heard. The Indians 
rush out with mutterings of rage. Dupont returns, steps up 
to du Lhut with a salute.) 

Dupont. That was a brave action, Sieur du Lhut. I 
have never seen a more enraged lot of Indians. Just now they 
are held in check by our muskets, but eventualy that decision 
may cost you your life. 

Du Lhut. Not alone my own life but the life of every 
white person here at Mackinac. There are only forty-two of 
us here against four hundred Indians. What can we do if 
they decide to revenge themselves? I have thought of this 
question night and day since I was first told of the murder of 
the Frenchmen and that I was to handle the affair. What was 
to be done ? Let the culprits go or purposely fail to find them ? 
Do this, and henceforth the life of no Frenchman would be 
safe. 

Dupont. That would have been the better plan. At lease 
it seems so to me. We are certainly not safe now. 

Du Lhut. No, indeed; yet as commandant of the fort I 
must see that the law is obeyed. 

Dupont. You will be greatly censured by those above 
you. History will call this a foolhardy act. We shall probably 
all lose our lives and you will lose your reputation as well. 

Du Lhut. It has always been my good fortune not to 
worry about others and what they will say of my actions. 

Dupont. That is true, and your most precious birthright 
is the power of quick decision as to what is right and what is 
wrong. The Indians admire this, and usually approve of what 
you do. 

Du Lhut. Let us hope they will agree with me in this 
case. They are holding a council now. Do you hear the 
drum? (The drum is heard at a distance.) There will be 
speeches, and, — Well, instead of taking our scalps, they may 
send back the stolen goods. This will be their expression of 
approval. I admit it has been hard for me to carry this 
through. Just leave me here alone for a while. I will walk 
about and think things over. We will take precautions. 

Dupont. I salute you, Sieur du Lhut. You are a noble 
man, one of the truly great ones, I believe. I salute you in the 
name of our France. 

Du Lhut (grasping his hand). You are my good friend, 
Dupont. (Dupont kisses du Lhut's hand and goes out at left, 
rear.) Strange how tired I feel ! This has been a gruesome 
business. (Du Lhut passes his hand across his forehead, 
starts off at right, front. Low Sky, with a bow and arrow, has 
been lurking about in the shadows of the trees at the left, 
front, and as du Lhut steps out of sight, runs forward, kneels, 



40 SIEUR DU LHUT 

and shoots an arroiv. He places another on the string hut 
Anishaque rushes across from the left, farther back, and fol- 
lows du Lhut. Low Sky throws down his arrow in fury and 
walks away to right, rear. Anishaque leads hack du Lhut and 
he sinks upon the halsam seat, half reclining aaginst the tree 
trunk, eyes closed. He seems dazed or fainting.) 

Anishaque (kneeling hy the side of du Lhut). Did it 
strike deep, the wicked, poisoned arrow? I knew Low Sky- 
would send it today. How he hate Sieur du Lhut ! (Pushing 
up du Lhut's sleeve.) Here it is. Here mark of arrow. No 
great hurt, just a track of poison. I save Sieur du Lhut. (She 
raises the arm tenderly and places her lips at the wound. 
After a moment she lifts her head.) I save Sieur du Lhut. 
I drink the poison with his blood. I give my life for Sieur du 
Lhut. (Anishaque rushes to left, middle entrance, giving the 
loon call, and disappears. Du Lhut, hearing the cry, springs 
up. Turning, he sees Isabelle coming towards him from the 
left.) 

Du Lhut (holding out his arms). Isabelle, you are here? 
I thought it was a dream. 

Isabelle (Throwing herself into his arms). You are safe? 

Du Lhut (After a moment's embrace, holding Isabelle at 
arm's length). Is it really Isabelle? (A slight pause). You 
have come out here to me ? 

Isabelle. Yes, I came with my brother, Jean. Anishaque 
told me how you always love the selfish pale face girl. I only 
half believed it before. That night at the ball when you found 
me in the garden, I longed to tell you I would give up every- 
thing for you, — go anywhere with you, — only to be with you 
always; never to leave you again. 

Du Lhut (clasping her in his arms). Isabelle! You are 
mine? You will never leave me? 

Isabelle (releasing herself). I must tell you how proud 
and how unworthy I have been. That night at the ball my ears 
were filled with stories about you. It was said you were dis- 
honest and tricky. Then came the tale about your Indian 
sweet heart. That was too much. I could not believe in you. 

Du Lhut. No, Isabelle, I can see how everything was 
against me then. 

Isabelle. You went to France, and when you came back 
to Quebec — ,your reputation cleared before the world, — I 
waited for you to come to me again. 

Du Lhut. I was told you were about to marry Pierre 
Dubois. 

Isabelle. That was all a lie. I had refused Pierre long 
ago. 



SIEUR DU LHUT 41 

Du Lhut. And you have loved me all this time? 

Isabelle. Yes, I have loved you passionately. I would 
have conquered my pride, — would have gone to you, — would 
have thrown myself at your feet. 

Du Lhut. But you did not come. 

Isabelle. People still talked about the Indian girl. They 
said she had followed you to the east. 

Du Lhut. Yes, I have seen her sometimes. She and Low 
Sky came back to the Chippewas. 

Isabelle. She is always watching over you, and she 
brought me here. She is your guardian spirit and mine. 
(Singing (C) is heard in the wings and continues.) 

Du Lhut. And she has brought you to me, Isabelle. 
(Du Lhut holds her at arm's length, looking at her as if still 
half unbelieving. Then he clasps her in his arms. The em- 
brace is interrupted by Tah-ko-zid who comes in from the left, 
rear, and throws down in front of du Lhut the things stolen 
from the Frenchmen.) 

Du Lhut (to Isabelle, pointing to the articles). We are 
safe now, Isabelle. The Indians bring back the stolen goods. 
They are our friends again. 

Chief Ashiganaga (stepping up to du Lhut and presenting 
a pipe, the other Indians crowding about the central group.) 
Indians want to give calumet to Big Chief, Sieur du Lhut, 
because he think quick and act right. 

(Singing (C) continues as curtain falls.) 

CURTAIN. 



42 SIEUR DU LHUT 



NOTES AND NOTICES. 

The following may be interesting to the readers of "Sieur 
du Lhut" : 

"It is often a devious way by which one traces the work- 
ings that have led to a given result. In the case of 'Sieur 
du Lhut/ it was Mrs. Stocker's love of Indian music that led 
to the finished production which drew crowds to the premiere. 
For years she has been studying Indian melodies, tracing them 
to their sources, living in the summer months on the Indian 
reservations. The Chippewas have given her the tribal name 
of '0-mes-qua-wi-gi-shi-go-que,' which means 'Red Sky 
Woman.' * * * Throughout the whole play ran a thread 
of Indian melodies, wierd strains sung in unison or in octave 
with a tom tom accompaniment. The singing of Indian melo- 
dies, which Mrs. Stocker has been collecting and transcribing 
for years, was another feature of the production which is one 
of the most important additions to the praiseworthy work of 
preserving the traditions and customs of a people that have 
played such an important part in the historical life of the 
Northwest." — Musical America, New York City, July 14, 
1917. 



Mrs. Stocker gives this account of the origin of the play, 
"One evening I received this message from a friendly Indian : 
'Tomorrow great drum dance at Mille Lac. You be there. 
Doctor of Indians take you.' Of course I went, and by after- 
noon of the next day I found myself watching the most pic- 
turesque group of Indians I have ever seen. The long point 
of land which reaches out into the lake, with its little island 
as pendant, the great trees, the brilliant costumes of the 
Indian dancers — all made a vivid impression upon my imag- 
ination. That which excited me most was some information 
which I obtained from a white settler who has for thirty years 
managed the Indian trading store not far from the encamp- 
ment. From him I learned that it was on this very spot that 
Sieur du Lhut rescued the Catholic priest. Father Hennepin. 
It was here that the Sioux and Chippewas fought their last 
great battle, at which time this village of Kathio passed out of 
the possession of the Sioux and was henceforth occupied by 
the Chippewas. 

"As distinctly as if already in shape my story appeared 
to me. It was not a story, however. It was a historical play, 
and the hero was Sieur du Lhut." 



SIEUR DU LHUT 43 

The romance in the play is imaginary. For the historical 
basis of the work, consult, among other books, the "Jesuit 
Relations," "A New Discovery," by Louis Hennepin, "A Gen- 
tleman of the Royal Guard," by McLennan, — article in Har- 
per's for September, 1893. 



For the conversation of the Indians, the writer of the play 
has used in English a construction which somewhat resembles 
that which they would use if speaking their own language. 



INDIAN MELODIES. 

Since taking down these melodies from the Indians, Mrs. 
Stocker has made no changes except in the case of (J). The 
Indian words of the "Love Charm Song (I) mean "That boy 
pays no attention to me. I will make him care for me." 

Following is the meaning of the song at (F) : "My lover 
has gone to Sault Ste. Marie, I shall never see him again. I 
thought I heard the cry of a loon but it was the sound of his 
paddle in the water." This song was sung for Mrs. Stocker 
on the White Earth reservation by Mary Warren English, 
who is half Indian — sister of Wm. Warren, the historian of the 
Chippewas. 

The play is marked in this way for the introduction of 
Indian melodies: (A) Indian March, (B) Moccasin Game 
song, (C) Melody for Peace Pipe, (D) Nett Lake Dance, 
(E) Theme for wooing flute, (F) "He has gone to Sault Ste. 
Marie," (G) Loon cry, (H) Death Chant, (I) Love Charm 
Song, (J) Music for Skull Dance. These melodies are sung in 
unison and repeated several times, a single note reiterated as a 
bass foundation on piano or kettle drum. 

The piano or other instruments used for the support of 
the voices in the unison singing, also for the French incidental 
music of Act III, must be placed behind the scenes. 



44 SIEUR DU LHUT 



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